Villa MM

The client asked for a house that blends into the landscape, with outstanding rooms and a sophisticated interior design. We studied historical residential architecture, to understand the idiosyncrasies of long–lasting structures.

Situated in an winery landscape, this compact and elegant grey building is characterized by strong vertical grills, and a combination of concrete and painted wood. A large column-free garage on the street level is the main access when entering the building by car. A far more romantic access for pedestrians leads through the magnificent garden, over the cast-concrete terrace. The entrance door and the large glass are part of the main façade element in untreated Douglas Fir that has a furniture-like quality.

The quite impressive hall is six metres high. The wide stairway in oak is hung between the concrete walls and white steel railings. A Scarpa lamp contrasts with the exposed concrete, that gives the building in its center a sense of weight and solidity. The huge window shows the big trees in the garden in all their fullness.

The meandering spaces for living and dining have smooth walls in muted colors, and stunning views. A separate more enclosed alcove-like section of the living rooms includes a fireplace and a hidden bar. Joinery in rosewood and warm grey walls that harmonize with the dark oak floors are the perfect set to warm yourself at the crackling fire on cold winter evenings.

Two L-shaped bookcases separate the library from the upper part of the hall, followed by the master office, that has the size of a big living room. In contrast to the open living spaces we decided to design the first floor as a collection of secluded private rooms, which gives the house a hotel-like feeling. The building proves that the reality of a house is in the spaces.

Felix Held Architekt